Crews
expectations for his eventual ascent to the throne.
Some thought they were a little too high.
While his actions made him popular in the court, they made him unpopular with many members of the Church, particularly the Inquisition. They had their own designs on Castille, and Javier’s innovative policies had no part in them. The Inquisition had no wish to kill him (at least not yet), but they needed him removed from power. One night, a band of hooded men broke into his private chambers and dragged him away. The Hierophant was told nothing and the royal guards had almost no leads to follow. The crown prince simply disappeared.
Javier found himself bound and gagged in the galley of a ship bound for la Bucca. When he reached the prison, he tried to tell the guards who he was. They just laughed and cuffed him across the jaw. La Bucca was full of madmen, and no one batted an eyelash at someone claiming to be the Prince of Castille (the Imperator of Numa hoed carrots on the western plains, and at least five Vaticine Prophets could be found among the prisoners). Although the guards wouldn’t believe him, however, some of the inmates did, and a few held him responsible for their miserable condition. He killed the first in a knife fight just a few days after arriving. Realizing that his true identity would eventually be his undoing, he dropped his claims to the throne and began calling himself “Allende.” The attacks died down soon thereafter, allowing him to slowly fade into the general populace.
Allende spent almost two years on the island working 14 hours a day under the most savage conditions. Somehow, despite the brutal conditions and attempts on his life, he managed to survive. Later, he would learn he had a bit of supernatural aid from the Fate Witch, Alesio.
His old friends in the Rilasciare had not forgotten him, however. When he failed to return after his disappearance, they went looking for him and found la Bucca. One of their number, Velik Galecatcher, managed to reach the island and made discreet contact with the exiled prince.
Velik’s presence allowed Allende to smuggle in some vital supplies, and arrange the eventual prisoner revolt (see pages 24–25). At first, he did so to earn the respect of the convicts in order to get back home. However, when discovered his father dead and his young brother on the throne, he knew he could not claim his heritage;
challenging his brother’s authority would bring Castille more harm than good. Instead, he
established the Brotherhood of the Coast and dedicated himself to protecting Castille’s shores from his new position. He soon proved as popular with the Brotherhood as he had in court, and became the island’s leader in fact if not in name.
Unfortunately, the Inquisition had still not finished with him. When they realized who he was, they arranged for his capture and imprisonment again — this time by Prince Vincenzo Caligari. The Inquisition has promised Caligari access to the Crescent Empire if he will break Allende and make him pliable to their demands. If Good King Sandoval grows to unruly, they can then reintroduce the “true” king of Castille, launching a succession crisis and allowing them to formally seize control of the country. Allende is currently enduring some of the worst tortures Caligari’s men can conceive. But he doesn’t break easily. And his friends don’t abandon him without a fight.
Advantages: Vodacce (R/W), Castille (R/W), Crescent, Montaigne, Noble
Courtier: Dancing 1, Diplomacy 4, Etiquette 4, Fashion 2, Lip Reading 2, Oratory 3, Politics 4, Scheming 4, Sincerity 2
Scholar: Astronomy 3, History 3, Mathematics 2, Occult 4, Philosophy 2, Research 2, Theology 3
Sailor: Balance 3, Cartography 3, Climbing 4, Knotwork 1, Navigation 3, Rigging 1
Sorte (Adept): Arcana 5, Coins 4, Cups 4, Staves 4, Swords 4
Firearms: Attack (Firearms) 3, Reload (Firearms) 2
Knife: Attack (Knife) 2, Parry (Knife) 4 Dirty Fighting: Attack (Dirty Fighting) 4, Throat Strike 3
uncle assigned her to follow one of Vodacce’s archbishops, living in Vaticine City. She did a fine job for several years, but then something happened which changed her perspective for good: she met Crown Prince Javier. The man had an almost blinding Hanged Man Arcana, which changing her name to “Alesio” — and tracked the missing regent to the island prison of la Bucca.
She integrated herself into the prison populace, and for the next two years used her abilities to keep Javier out of harm’s way. Eventually, she revealed her identity and her intentions. She had no romantic interest in the young prince, but wanted to support him however she could. While she wasn’t sure what he was destined for, she wanted to be there when it happened.
Alesio helped put the coup in motion, and provided pivotal aid during its final stages.
Without her Sorte magic, the all-important merchant vessels might have turned back, stranding the prisoners on the island (see pages 24–25 for details). In recognition of her aid, Allende made her his chief advisor and second-in-command. Using her powers, she kept the Hanged Man free of common seafaring misfortunes, and the men slowly grew to respect her.
Unfortunately, uncle Vincenzo had not forgotten about Alesio or the way she abandoned her assigned duties. He sent a trio of powerful Fate Witches to punish her for her disobedience.
Her connection to Allende was made clear when the witches forced her to betray him to them — then cut her to pieces with their shears. She prepared for the deed (and set the threads for its undoing) by rescuing Jeremiah Berek, but her foresight did her little good as her life bled out on the cold, hard floor. By defying her duty, she had helped launch a nation — but the cost was more than she had ever dreamt possible.
Advantages: Avalon (R/W), Castille, Crescent, Able Drinker, Membership (Swordsman’s Guild), Toughness
Sailor: Balance 4, Climbing 3, Knotwork 3, Rigging 3, Swimming 2
Captain: Incitation 3, Leadership 3, Strategy 2, Tactics 3
Donovan (Journeyman): Bind (Buckler) 4, Disarm (Fencing) 4, Riposte (Fencing) 4, Exploit Weakness (Donovan) 4
Fencing: Attack (Fencing) 4, Parry (Fencing) 2 Buckler: Parry (Buckler), 4
Crossbow: Attack (Crossbow) 4, Fletcher 2, Reload (Crossbow) 2
Polearm: Attack (Polearm) 2, Parry (Polearm) 1 Sean McCorley was born into a fisherman’s family in northern Inismore. Living half his life on the water and half on the land, it seemed natural to sign up as a marine on one of Elaine’s mercenary ships. He served as a Sea Dog for seven years until his ship was captured by Castillian galleons; he was sent to la Bucca for espionage against the Castillian crown.
McCorley met Allende on the prison ship and the two became fast allies, though more out of necessity than compatible personality. Allende’s keen mind and McCorley’s fierce fighting style complemented each other perfectly, and helped keep each other alive on the island prison.
After the coup, McCorley served as Allende’s bosun and sergeant at arms. He kept fighting among the crew to a minimum and helped the pirates put aside their national and religious differences in the face of the common good. When Allende was betrayed, McCorley helped Jeremiah Berek rally the Brotherhood behind him. His status allowed him to argue on Berek’s behalf, which smoothed over any friction between the wayward Sea Dog and Allende’s crew. He currently serves as Berek’s first mate, and has devoted himself wholeheartedly to finding Captain Allende.